At around 4 p.m., people staying in the Beacon, a daytime homeless shelter on East Washington Avenue, board buses to night shelters elsewhere in Madison. When weather conditions are poor — such as during the unhealthy smoke levels on July 31 — those who can’t find a bed at a night shelter are left to brave the elements.
There’s currently no men’s shelter in Madison that stays open 24 hours. So when city and county officials began planning a new 250-bed men’s homeless shelter at 1902 Bartillon Drive, 24/7 access was part of the plan — it would allow residents access to care and some sense of stability throughout the day.
But funding struggles are now forcing organizers to consider more limited hours of operation…